S3 Buying advice (74k miles 2002)

[W14FEN]

Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping for some of your great advice here.
Ok here's the thing:

I am interested in a Black Audi S3 Quattro 225bhp, 75k, FASH, seeminly perfect condition inside and out, only has one key fob though.

I've made a part exchange deal with him for my 2000 Honda S2000 (in v good condition 64k miles, although I think my clutch is going, it needs an over due service, tax etc are looming!)

He met my offer of my s2000 p/x and £1500. It's just been serviced by Audi and he's offering 1 Year Premium Plus warranty, 12 months tax and MOT. The cam belt and water pump haven't been done to my knoweldge.

Does anyone have any advice here? I am contemplating getting an AA check done which costs £195. Will this let me know if the cam belt have been done? If the cam belt hasnt been done, how much will this cost me and when should I get it done?

Thanks guys - really appreciate it!

 

[campbell]

welcome

cambelt should be done every 5 years or they say 60,000 miles (whichever comes first).
the waterpump should be done same time as the cambelt, use genuine parts in my opinion and buy the metal impelloer type for the waterpump, the old waterpump are plastic impellors and they tend to break.
For this job you would expect to pay £350-400 from a specialist, dont go to the stealers.
if your unsure about the car get it checked but i think you can get it cheaper than £195!
hope i have helped you

good luck

 

[W14FEN]

Thanks for the reply campbell.

Just wondering if you think it's a good deal? The best I can get privately for s2000 is about £9,500. So to me this sounds like a fair deal...any thoughts?

Where and how much can I get a metal impelloer water pump? Or is something Audi supply?

I'm in Cardiff, does anyone know a specialist around for audi s3's to do the cam belt?

Thanks Guys

 

[Dave_Bayern]

Audi dont do the metal impellor pump, so if its been replaced by a Genuine part it'll be plastic.

GSF Car parts do the metal impellor version.

 

[jojo]

I bought a waterpump for a friend from my local motor factor, as GSF was 15 miles away, they supplied me a metal impellor one also.

 

[campbell]

i think its good deal if the audi S3 is as clean as you say it is, i paid 14K for my 2002 audi S3 about a year and a half ago.

try and get an even better deal by asking him if the waterpump/cambelt are done and say it will cost you an extra £500 and see if he can knock any more off, i always do this until they absolutely adamant that they cant go any cheaper then you know you have a bargain!

 

[grathies]

Where and how much can I get a metal impelloer water pump? Or is something Audi supply?

Really woudlnt get a metal impellor one

Worked for VW/Audi and they cause all sorts of problems. As the bearings wear in the pump you get movement, obviously their cambelt driven. As it moves, should it move enough to contact within the block, the worst that happens with the platic one is it will break off (no where for it to go anyway). With the metal one it doesnt give, so ends up kicking and can jump or even snap teeth on the belt

Seen it happen too many times.

Plus the newer pumps are made better around the bearing housing so the plastic doesnt just go with age

 

[ash_s3]

Get the AA inspection done, wish i'd have done that with mine.

Mine only came with one key, bought a £10k can of worms!

 

[W14FEN]

Get the AA inspection done, wish i'd have done that with mine.

Mine only came with one key, bought a £10k can of worms!

Thanks for the replies.

What happened with yours, why the can of worms? the car has just been service by audi (100 miles ago) and the trade guy I am buying it from is getting a new key fob/cam belt/waterpump done for £350 for me at his local garage.

Is an audi service 100 miles ago as good as an AA inspection do you think? (i've confirmed this service by ringing the audi garage, the only things they mentioned was no record history of brake fluid being changed or oil filters, also rear brake disks are corroded slightly)

I've haggled him to breaking point, so dont think he will move anymore.

Thanks Guys

 

[RussUK]

Really woudlnt get a metal impellor one

Worked for VW/Audi and they cause all sorts of problems. As the bearings wear in the pump you get movement, obviously their cambelt driven. As it moves, should it move enough to contact within the block, the worst that happens with the platic one is it will break off (no where for it to go anyway). With the metal one it doesnt give, so ends up kicking and can jump or even snap teeth on the belt

Seen it happen too many times.

Plus the newer pumps are made better around the bearing housing so the plastic doesnt just go with age

Yeah right you are